Democracy and Political Ignorance

Democracy and Political Ignorance PDF

Author: Ilya Somin

Publisher: Stanford University Press

Published: 2013-10-02

Total Pages: 277

ISBN-13: 0804789312

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One of the biggest problems with modern democracy is that most of the public is usually ignorant of politics and government. Often, many people understand that their votes are unlikely to change the outcome of an election and don't see the point in learning much about politics. This may be rational, but it creates a nation of people with little political knowledge and little ability to objectively evaluate what they do know. In Democracy and Political Ignorance, Ilya Somin mines the depths of ignorance in America and reveals the extent to which it is a major problem for democracy. Somin weighs various options for solving this problem, arguing that political ignorance is best mitigated and its effects lessened by decentralizing and limiting government. Somin provocatively argues that people make better decisions when they choose what to purchase in the market or which state or local government to live under, than when they vote at the ballot box, because they have stronger incentives to acquire relevant information and to use it wisely.

Arkansas Politics and Government

Arkansas Politics and Government PDF

Author: Diane D. Blair

Publisher: U of Nebraska Press

Published: 2005-01-01

Total Pages: 520

ISBN-13: 0803204892

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Published a decade and a half after the late Diane D. Blair s influential book Arkansas Politics and Government, this freshly revised edition builds on her work, which highlighted both the decades of failure by Arkansas's government to live up to the state s motto of Regnat Populus ( The People Rule ) and the positive trends of democracy. Since the first edition, Arkansas has seen the two-term U.S. presidency of a native son, the retirement of players who defined the state s politics in the modern era, the further realignment of the state s electorate, the passage of the nation s most extreme legislative term limits, the complete overhaul of the state s court system, and the declaration that the state s public education system was unconstitutionally inadequate and inequitable. While maintaining the basic structure of Blair s original work with its focus on important historical patterns and the ways in which the past continues to shape the present, the second edition details the causes and consequences of recent changes in Arkansas and asks whether they are profound and permanent or merely transitory variations in symbol and style. Jay Barth argues that although Arkansas currently expresses a healthier representative democracy than throughout most of its history, its political and governmental entities are still sharply limited as effective instruments of the people.

Maryland Politics and Government

Maryland Politics and Government PDF

Author: Herbert Charles Smith

Publisher: U of Nebraska Press

Published: 2012-01-01

Total Pages: 398

ISBN-13: 0803237901

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Tucked between the larger commonwealths of Pennsylvania and Virginia and overshadowed by the political maneuverings of its neighbor, Washington, D.C., Maryland has often been overlooked and neglected in studies of state governmental systems. With the publication of Maryland Politics and Government, the challenging demographic diversity, geographic variety, and dynamic Democratic pragmatism of Maryland finally get their due. Two longtime political analysts, Herbert C. Smith and John T. Willis, conduct a sustained inquiry into topics including the Maryland identity, political history, and interest groups; the three branches of state government; and policy areas such as taxation, spending, transportation, and the environment. Smith and Willis also establish a –Two Marylands” model that explains the dominance of the Maryland Democratic Party, established in the post_Civil War era, that persists to this day even in a time of political polarization. Unique in its scope, detail, and coverage, Maryland Politics and Government sets the standard for understanding the politics of the Free State (or, alternately, the Old Line State) for years to come.

Delaware Politics and Government

Delaware Politics and Government PDF

Author: William W. Boyer

Publisher: U of Nebraska Press

Published: 2009-01-01

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13: 0803224729

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This volume provides a comprehensive analysis of both the historical and the contemporary dimensions of the politics and government of the First State. Once a sparsely populated, agrarian, and relatively insignificant polity, Delaware has become a densely and diversely populated financial and legal center often called the corporation capital of the world. Delaware s prime location has been central to its development and transition from a goods-producing economy to a fast-growing, service-based economy. Despite its diminutive size, Delaware is, in many ways, the nation s preferred corporate home. William W. Boyer and Edward C. Ratledge provide an overview of Delaware s history, structure, and present politics and explain why one of the smallest states in the country is also one of the most powerful. Delaware continually promotes pro-business legislation, business and public objectives are entwined, and privatization is a dominant theme in public affairs. The state has an individualistic political order in which public participation is indirect and citizen activism is limited.

Understanding Politics and Government

Understanding Politics and Government PDF

Author: Rosie Hore

Publisher: Usborne Books

Published: 2024-05-07

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781805074779

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An informative guide to political systems, elections, voting and government, and issues including feminism, human rights, freedom of speech and fake news, all explained with clear text and bright, infographic style illustrations. Includes tips on how to argue and debate, a glossary, and links to specially selected websites with more information.

Utah Politics and Government

Utah Politics and Government PDF

Author: Adam R. Brown

Publisher: U of Nebraska Press

Published: 2018-08-01

Total Pages: 248

ISBN-13: 1496201809

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"Utah Politics and Government covers Utah's religious heritage and territorial history, its central political institutions, and its political culture, while situating Utah within the broader American political setting"--

Oregon Politics and Government

Oregon Politics and Government PDF

Author: Richard A. Clucas

Publisher: U of Nebraska Press

Published: 2005-01-01

Total Pages: 360

ISBN-13: 0803264364

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The political culture of Oregon has long had a reputation for innovative policy, maverick politicians, and independent political thought, but instead of using the term ?progressive? to describe the state?s political leanings, the editors of Oregon Politics and Government believe a more accurate descriptor would be ?schizophrenic.? Oregon Politics and Government provides not only an overview of the state?s politics and government; it also explains how the divide between progressives and conservative populists defines Oregon politics today. ø Early in the state?s history, reformers championed many causes: the initiative and referendum process for setting public policy, the recall of public officials, the direct election of U.S. senators, and women?s suffrage. Since then, the state has asserted control over beaches, imposed strict land-use laws, created an innovative regional government, introduced voting through the mail, allowed for physician-assisted suicide, and experimented with universal healthcare. Despite this list of accomplishments, however, Oregon is divided between two competing visions: one that is tied to progressive politics and another that is committed to conservative populism. While the progressive side supports a strong and active government, the conservative populist side seeks a smaller government, lower taxes, fewer restrictions on private property, and protection for traditional social values. The struggle between these two forces drives Oregon politics and policies today.

Beyond Politics

Beyond Politics PDF

Author: Randy T. Simmons

Publisher: Independent Institute

Published: 2011-09-01

Total Pages: 572

ISBN-13: 1598130595

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Providing students of economics, politics, and policy with a concise explanation of public choice, markets, property, and political and economic processes, this record identifies what kinds of actions are beyond the ability of government. Combining public choice with studies of the value of property rights, markets, and institutions, this account produces a much different picture of modern political economy than the one accepted by mainstream political scientists and welfare economists. It demonstrates that when citizens request that their governments do more than it is possible, net benefits are reduced, costs are increased, and wealth and freedom are diminished. Solutions are also suggested with the goal to improve the lot of those who should be the ultimate sovereigns in a democracy: the citizens.

AP U.S. Government and Politics Crash Course

AP U.S. Government and Politics Crash Course PDF

Author: Larry Krieger

Publisher: Research & Education Assoc.

Published: 2009-12-04

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 0738608092

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REA's Crash Course for the AP® U.S. Government & Politics Exam - Gets You a Higher Advanced Placement® Score in Less Time Crash Course is perfect for the time-crunched student, the last-minute studier, or anyone who wants a refresher on the subject. Are you crunched for time? Have you started studying for your Advanced Placement® U.S. Government & Politics exam yet? How will you memorize everything you need to know before the test? Do you wish there was a fast and easy way to study for the exam AND boost your score? If this sounds like you, don't panic. REA's Crash Course for AP® U.S. Government & Politics is just what you need. Our Crash Course gives you: Targeted, Focused Review - Study Only What You Need to Know The Crash Course is based on an in-depth analysis of the AP® U.S. Government & Politics course description outline and actual AP® test questions. It covers only the information tested on the exam, so you can make the most of your valuable study time. Our easy-to-read format gives you a crash course in the major ideas and concepts in government and politics, including constitutional underpinnings of the U.S. government, political culture, federalism, civil rights/civil liberties, elections & campaigns, congress, the presidency & the executive branch, and more. Expert Test-taking Strategies Written by a former AP® teacher, the author’s question-level strategy and advice explains how to handle the multiple-choice and free-response questions so you can raise your overall point score! Key Terms You Must Know Mastering AP® vocabulary terms is an easy way to increase your total score. Our AP® expert gives you the key terms all AP® U.S. Government & Politics students must know before test day. Take REA's FREE Practice Exam After studying the material in the Crash Course, go to the online REA Study Center and test what you've learned. Our free practice exam features timed testing, detailed explanations of answers, and automatic scoring analysis. The exam is balanced to include every topic and type of question found on the actual AP® exam, so you know you're studying the smart way. Whether you're cramming for the test at the last minute, looking for extra review, or want to study on your own in preparation for the exams - this is the study guide every AP® U.S. Government & Politics student must have. When it's crucial crunch time and your Advanced Placement® exam is just around the corner, you need REA's Crash Course for AP® U.S. Government & Politics! About the AuthorLarry Krieger earned his B.A. and M.A.T. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his M.A. from Wake Forest University. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Mr. Krieger has taught a variety of AP® subjects including American History, World History, European History, American Government, and Art History. His popular courses were renowned for their energetic presentations, commitment to scholarship, and helping students achieve high AP® exam scores.

Dictionary of American Government and Politics

Dictionary of American Government and Politics PDF

Author: Duncan Watts

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Published: 2010-01-31

Total Pages: 344

ISBN-13: 0748635025

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This Dictionary offers a fresh, up-to-date look at US government and politics, explaining and where necessary demystifying the key terms used in discussion of the political system.Major figures, events, ideas, movements and Supreme Court cases relevant to a study of the American political system are included with the aim of allowing readers to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of the area. The Dictionary also raises key issues and areas of contention and academic debate.Coverage is comprehensive, with c.400 entries, each providing analysis of the subject. Terms are presented in an A-Z format with cross-referencing where appropriate.